Carer’s Leave Information

Policy last updated:

What is Carer’s Leave?

  • There is a new right introduced from 6 April 2024 whereby employees now have a statutory right to a week’s unpaid leave to give or arrange care for a dependant who needs long-term care.
  • Employees are entitled to one week’s unpaid carer’s leave for every 12 months they work. This leave can either be taken as a half day, a full day or a whole week.
  • If an employee works part-time, their unpaid leave is the equivalent of their working week.
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Eligibility

  • In order for employees to be able to take a week’s unpaid leave, they must meet the following requirements:
    • Be an employee (regardless of whether full-time or part-time)
  • There is no minimum service required for an employee to take advantage of this right.
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Who is a Dependant?

  • A person is a “dependant” if they:
    • Are a spouse, civil partner, child or parent of the employee.
    • Live in the same household as the employee (however, this doesn’t include being lodger, tenant, boarder or employee).
    • Rely on the employee for their care.
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What is Long-Term Care?

  • A dependent will have a long-term care need if they:
    • Have an illness or injury, whether physical or mental, that requires or is likely to require care for more than three months.
    • Have a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010
    • Require care for a reason connected to old age.
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Giving Notice

  • Employees have the following rights:
    • To return to the same job on the same terms and conditions.
    • To not be dismissed as a result of taking carer’s leave.
    • To not suffer detrimental treatment or be treated otherwise unfavourably as a result of taking carer’s leave.
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